Reactor for exothermic or endothermic heterogeneous reactions

Abstract

A reactor ( 1 ) for carrying out exothermic or endothermic heterogeneous reactions comprising an outer shell ( 2 ) of substantially cylindrical shape and at least a heat exchanger ( 9 ) embedded in a catalytic layer ( 10 ) supported in said shell ( 2 ), is characterized in that the heat exchanger ( 9 ) is a plate ( 14 ) heat exchanger.

1. Reactor for carrying our exothermic or endothermic heterogeneous reactions comprising:
 an outer shell of substantially cylindrical shape closed at its ends by respective bottoms provided with at least one aperture of diameter smaller than the diameter of the shell; 
 at least one heat exchanger embedded in a catalytic layer supported into said shell; 
 wherein said heat exchanger is a plate heat exchanger having a cross section of such a dimension as to allow its insertion through said aperture. 
 
     
     
       2. Reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein said plates of said exchanger comprise ducts extending parallel to the axis of said shell. 
     
     
       3. Reactor according to  claim 2 , wherein said plates of said exchanger comprise respective mutually juxtaposed walls which defined between them said ducts extending parallel to the axis of said shell. 
     
     
       4. Reactor according to  claim 2 , wherein said shell supports a plurality of said heat exchangers in fluid communication with a feed duct of a heat exchange fluid. 
     
     
       5. Reactor according to  claim 2 , further comprising anchoring means of at least one of said exchangers. 
     
     
       6. Reactor according to  claim 1 , wherein said plates of said exchanger comprise ducts extending perpendicularly to the axis of said shell. 
     
     
       7. Reactor according to  claim 6 , wherein said plates of said exchanger comprise respective mutually juxtaposed walls which define between them said ducts extending perpendicularly to the axis of said shell. 
     
     
       8. Reactor according to  claim 6 , wherein said shell supports a plurality of said heat exchangers in fluid communication with a feed duct of a heat exchange fluid. 
     
     
       9. Reactor according to  claim 6 , wherein said heat exchangers are arranged radially in said catalytic layer. 
     
     
       10. Reactor according to  claim 6 , wherein it comprises anchoring means of at least one of said exchangers.